CHAPTER TWO

Four Corners, Arizona Territory

May 2nd

The sun had nearly set by the time Ezra Standish decided to emerge from his rented room. Some days the memories of his days fighting in the War between the States were just too much for him. Those were the days he just wanted to sit in his room and drink, hoping the memories would drown in the whiskey, but they never did. They always came back.

But now he was feeling the effects of the liquor, and feeling lucky. He wanted to hit the tables, try his luck, and replenish his whiskey supply. The saloon was filled with more customers than usual; more of an opportunity to line his pockets he figured. He grabbed a bottle of whiskey from the bartender and settled at a table where J.D., Josiah, and Buck were already engaged in a friendly game of poker.

"Mind if I join you gentlemen?" he asked, his speech slightly slurred from the effects of the alcohol.

"Have a seat." Buck motioned to the empty chair across from him as he collected his winnings.

"Nice of you to join us, Ezra." Josiah said, beginning to deal out a new hand. "Was beginning to wonder if you'd ever come out that room."

"Wild horses couldn't keep me away from spending quality time with you gentlemen." Ezra muttered sarcastically. "Draw or stud poker?"

"Draw." Buck looked up from his cards as a half dozen more men entered the already crowded saloon. "Lot of new faces in town."

"Word is one of them dancehall girls from back East is gonna be performin'" J.D. answered excitedly.

"Really." Ezra's green eyes widened with feigned excitement. "This should prove very enlightening for the young lad."

"Well, I think more women's what this town needs." Buck piped up. "Especially an attractive little dancehall girl." Josiah chuckled and shook his head as he added his bet to the small pile in the middle of the table.

"You playin' with us, Ezra?" Josiah asked quietly, a look of concern in his eyes when he realized the gambler wasn't paying attention.

"What?" Ezra asked, shifting his eyes from the half-empty shot glass in his hand.

"I said, 'you playin' with us'? Looks like your mind is elsewhere." Ezra finished the shot and flashed the preacher a smile as he refilled the glass, his gold tooth glinting in the light from the oil lamps.

"My mind is always in the present when I am engaged in a game of chance, Mr. Sanchez." Ezra tossed his chips to the center of the table and downed the harsh liquid. Josiah nodded, but not completely convinced of his friend's current frame of mind.

The crowd inside the tavern began to quiet down as the bartender abandoned his post behind the bar and lit the lights lining the edge of the stage. J.D. dropped his cards on the table and spun around in his seat, his dark eyes wide with anticipation.

"I seen this one show in Kansas, on my way out here," J.D. began, his eyes glued to the stage. "The singer was the prettiest woman I ever saw. And she had one hell of a voice, too."

"Fascinating." Ezra muttered, his attention focused on the whiskey in front of him.

"Gentlemen," the bartender called out, "for your listening and viewing pleasure, the stunning and talented Miss Annabelle Dixon." Ezra's head shot up at the name, his interest now focused on the stage as the small band began to play. You've got to be kidding me, Lord, Ezra thought as the singer emerged from behind the curtain, dressed in a rather revealing blue sequined outfit with a matching feather boa draped across her bare shoulders. Her blonde hair was tied high atop her head with loose tendrils brushing just below her shoulder.

"If it's sinful to wink your eye, at each guy who just passes by, won't somebody please tell me why, it feels good to be bad?; if it's wonton to show your thigh…" the crowd erupted into hoots and hollers as the singer suggestively strutted across the stage.

"Nice voice." J.D. smiled over his shoulder at Buck.

"That ain't all she's got going for her." He answered, grinning mischievously. "If that ain't the best set of gams on the best looking body I've ever…"

"Buck, do you mind?!" Ezra exclaimed, his voice strained, "I do believe we are engaged in a game of cards here."

"Get in clinches that make you sigh, won't somebody please tell me why it feels good to be bad.!" the music stopped as the singer paused, her face partially covered by the feather boa so that her dark eyes peered out to the crowd.. "Damn good…." The men exploded into applause and whistles as the singer took her bows.

"Very instructive." Ezra mumbled, finishing off another shot.

"Woo, gentlemen, there is a God." Buck yelled, a grin plastered across his face. "Mmm, what I wouldn't give to be just a speck of sweat on that honey's body…"

"Buck, do you mind?!" Ezra threw down his cards in disgust. "Really now, can just one member of the fairer sex come into your view without some sort of lewd and lascivious comment spewing from your lips." J.D. looked at Ezra, confusion filling his eyes.

"Huh?"

"Somethin' the matter with you, Ezra?" Buck asked.

"Maybe you've offended Mr. Standish." Josiah chuckled. Ezra tossed a withering look Josiah's way and abruptly pushed his chair from the table.

"I believe it is time for me to retire." Ezra stood, taking on last swig from the bottle of whiskey before glaring at the three men. "You gentlemen are begin to test me. Good night." Ezra spun on his heel and took off towards the back of the saloon.

"What's his problem?" J.D. asked, his eyes fixed on the retreating figure of their friend.

"Who knows." Buck muttered, reaching across the table and grabbing the bottle Ezra had left behind. "It's Ezra."

Ezra knew he had no plans of returning to his room. He almost couldn't believe it was her on that stage. Even with the wig and the name change, he knew it was her. She had walked out on him five years ago with every penny he had to his name. She was good. Had him believing she really cared for him; cared about his well-being. He should have known better. But now, here she was. He had vowed five years ago he was going to get even with her. And he was going to make sure he did just that.

After a quick glance over his shoulder to make sure no one was following him, he slipped behind the stage, toward where he gathered the changing room would be. He stopped dead in his tracks when he noticed the beast of a man at the end of the hallway, standing protectively in front of a door. Of course she was still traveling with him, he thought, he, after all, was her cousin. He began racking his brain on how he would be able to talk his way past the guard and continued on down the hallway and nonchalantly as possible.

When the man noticed him, he crossed his thick arms in front of his huge chest and straightened his body to his full height. Ezra smiled and tipped his hat. He knew he was no match for the giant who stood nearly a half a foot taller than him and probably outweighed him by a good seventy pounds, but he did have an advantage. He knew the beast was dumber than a box of rocks, and really no match for his level of intellect.

"Good evening, Mr. Mason." Ezra said kindly, stopping a few feet from the beast.

"Ezra." he answered back, his voice non-committal.

"Is she in there?" Ezra asked, motioning towards the door.

A slight nod. "She is."

"Well, I just want to go in and say hello."

"I can't let you in, Ezra." Ezra felt his anger boil inside him, but maintained his cool exterior.

"Why not?"

"You're on the list." Ezra blinked in surprise. How could she put him on the list, he wondered.

Ezra managed to put on his best poker face and nodded slowly. "Of course. I apologize." With a tip of his hat, Ezra turned around slowly while reaching for the pistol he kept tucked under his left arm. When he was sure he had a good grip of the barrel, he spun back around, smashing the butt of the pistol against the larger man's temple. The bigger they are, the harder they fall, Ezra smiled at the thought as the bodyguard slumped to the ground. He straightened his jacket, put the pistol back into its holster and knocked softly on the door.

"Just a second, Mutt." he heard her call out. The sound of her soft Southern voice made his heart jump. He couldn't believe the effect just hearing her voice had on him, even after five years and even after all the things she had put him through.

The door swung open and she stuck her head out, her hair now brunette and tumbling loosely around her slender shoulders. She had ditched the showgirl outfit and had changed into a satin robe, tied tightly around her trim waist. Her sapphire eyes widened in surprise when they landed on the man she wished to never see again standing outside her dressing room door.

"Ezra?" she asked quietly, her voice unsure.

"Hello, darling." Ezra tipped his hat. "Nice to see you again." He said sarcastically through clenched teeth. She raised an eyebrow and stuck her head further out the doorway, sighing angrily when she saw her cousin passed out on the floor, a small trickle of blood streaming from the wound at his right temple.

"Now, what in God's name did you go and do that for?" she asked, folding her arms across her chest and throwing a look of disdain Ezra's way.

"He said you put me on the list." Ezra answered back matter-of-factly.

"He dead?" Ezra shook his head.

"No, he'll just have one hell of a headache when he wakes up." She rolled her eyes and turned back in the room, leaving the door open so Ezra could follow. She looked over her shoulder as Ezra closed the door behind him and tossed him a sly smile.

"How'd you find me?" she asked, stepping behind a changing curtain, but not before dropping her robe a little too soon when she noticed Ezra was watching.

Ezra cleared his throat and diverted his eyes downward. "I believe you found me, darling." He glanced up and met her gaze. "You just happened to wander into my town. And a bad wig and a name change didn't stop me from immediately recognizing you, Josephine." Josephine glared at him from over the curtain, and she slipped on a satin, low cut dress the same color as the showgirl outfit she had donned twenty minutes before. "Let me give you a piece of advice, Josephine, never use a name you've used on a previous con. Just in case there happens to be some of your previous victims in the audience."

"I paid good money for that wig, Ezra Standish. And gentlemen seem to rather enjoy my blonde look." Ezra chuckled.

"I'm sure they do." Josephine's eyes flashed with anger at the tone in Ezra's voice.

"That is not what I met." she hissed. "What are you doing here, anyway?"

"Well, sweetheart, I came to retrieve the monetary funds you appropriated from me." Josephine flashed him a sweet smile as she emerged from the curtain and settled in front of a full length mirror to pin up her dark hair.

"I don't have your money, Ezra." she said as she reaffixed the blonde wig atop her head.

"I see." Josephine turned and sauntered up to Ezra, a devious smile on her ruby lips. She ran her hands up Ezra's chest and looped her arms around his neck, tossing her head to the side as she gazed into his emerald eyes.

"You're not mad at me, are you, darling?" she whispered, running her fingertips through his hair. Ezra opened his mouth to answer, but found himself for once in his life, speechless. His eyes were transfixed on hers, which were now looking up at him with, what only could be described as complete innocence.

She winked as she pulled back just far enough to make it able for her to knee him very hard in an area very dear to him. As he doubled over in pain, Josephine threw her shoulders back and straightened the shoulders on her dress.

"That was for Mutt." she snarled, collecting a well worn satchel from the chair a few feet from the door. "Now, you can help me gather him up off the floor and get him to a doctor." she ordered, pulling the door open and tossing an impatient look Ezra's way as he struggled to regain his composure.

"Excuse me?" Ezra croaked, struggling against the fire in his groin.

"You heard me, Ezra Standish. That boy's at least a foot and a half taller than me. I certainly can't pick him up on my own. And you were the one who felt it necessary to smack him upside his head." Ezra took a deep breath, pushing the feeling he had of strangling Josephine where she stood out of his thoughts and slowly straightened his body.

"That hurt." Ezra yelled, wincing as the pain shot through his body.

"Well, I'm positive that hurt as well." she shot back, pointing at her cousin, who was now awake and struggling to sit up. The rage slipped from Josephine's eyes and the sweet Josephine that had been seducing him just seconds before was back as she knelt down to help Mutt sit up. "Mutt, honey, are you okay?" she asked quietly, gingerly touching the wound on his head. Ezra shook his head in amazement. She was crazy, he was almost certain.

"I'm sorry, Josie. I don't know what happened." Mutt muttered, wincing as Josephine touched his temple.

"It's alright, Mutt. It's not your fault." Josephine tossed an annoyed look over her shoulder. "Well…" Ezra rolled his eyes, but bent down to help Josephine pull Mutt to his feet. "Here," she reached into the satchel and handed Mutt a ten-dollar gold piece. "get yourself fixed up and buy a few rounds on me, okay?" she flashed him a wide smile. Mutt nodded and pocketed the gold . "But first, we're going to have that bump looked at. Ezra," she tossed an impatient look over her shoulder, "if you would be so kind to help me get my cousin to a doctor?" she asked cynically.

"Of course." Ezra muttered.

"You wouldn't happen to know the doctor in this town, do you?" she asked.

"The man is not exactly a doctor per se, but he is the closest thing this meager little town has got." Ezra said, steadying Mutt as he swayed precariously on his feet.

"Well, lead the way, Ezra." With the showgirl and the gambler supporting either side, the wounded man made his way into the saloon where Nathan was engrossed in a game of poker with Vin, J.D., Josiah, and Buck. As they approached, Buck and J.D. stood, the game quickly forgotten as they nearly fell over one another to reach the stunning singer first.

"Ma'am." Buck tipped his hat, pushing J.D. aside as a wide grin spread across his face. "Might I just say, you are looking lovely this evening. And you certainly have a magnificent singing voice." Josephine smiled sweetly back at Buck, batting her eyes seductively.

"Why, thank you, Mr.-"

"Buck, do you mind?" Ezra interrupted, his voice strained. "Can you not see there is a man in desperate need of medical attention?"

"What happened?" Nathan asked, taking Josephine's place.

"He fell." Ezra muttered. Josephine rolled her eyes.

"Mr. Standish here felt it necessary to hit my poor cousin upside his head for God knows what reason." Ezra flashed her a withered look.

"Well, Josiah, you mind helpin' me git this guy to my room so I can take a look at him?" Nathan asked.

"Not at all." Josiah took Ezra's place and together they led the still dazed man out of the crowded saloon.

"As I was saying, ma'am," Buck smiled, his eyes never leaving Josephine's face, "you were absolutely spectacular up there on stage tonight." Josephine flashed Buck a seductive smile.

"Again, thank you, Mr.-"

"Wilmington, Miss Dixon. But, please, call me Buck." he smiled as he brought her extended hand to his lips.

"And I'm J.D. Dunne, ma'am." J.D. pushed Buck aside and tipped his hat as he ignored the piercing stare from Buck.

"And you can call her Josephine Devereaux." Ezra piped up, a little less than pleased with the attention she was getting from Buck and J.D.. Josephine tossed Ezra a cold look, but quickly recovered herself.

"That's correct. I-sometimes use 'Annabelle Dixon' as…as a stage name." Josephine's dark eyes fluttered to the table Buck and J.D. had been sitting at a few moments before. "Were you gentlemen engaged in a game of poker?"

"Yes we were, Miss Devereaux." Buck said. "Would you like to join us?"

"Well," Josephine flashed a shy smile. "I'm not very good at games of chance. Maybe you could teach me, Buck?" she asked, her eyes wide with hope. God, she really is a good actress, Ezra thought, rolling his emerald eyes as he turned and headed toward the bar. He really needed a drink. There was just something about her that brought the need to drink, heavily and often.

"Well, it would be my honor, Miss Devereaux." Buck pulled a chair out and motioned her to sit. Josephine again smiled and began to sit, noticing for the first time the other man sitting at the table, his hat low on his head so she couldn't see his face. "Ma'am, this is Vin Tanner." Josephine felt her heart skip a beat at the name. It really can't be, she thought. Vin glanced up at his name and smiled a knowing smile at Josephine.

"Ma'am." Vin tipped his hat and began to deal the cards he had been shuffling in his hand.

"Mr. Tanner." Josephine nodded, the tone in her voice a little colder than she wanted. How could he be in this town, too? Was this her Purgatory? Had she died and not realized it?

The game went by quicker than she had anticipated. Buck was extremely helpful, and she felt she played the table perfectly. Ezra had taught her long ago how to count cards, and it seemed this was the easiest deck to count. Maybe it was the fact these gentlemen assumed it would be just another friendly game of poker, and they didn't hide their cards or shuffle as carefully as they should. Either way, she had all their money in no time, basking in the adoration Buck and J.D. continued to show her.

"Well, Miss Devereaux, you are one lucky lady." Vin smirked as she gathered the last pot. Josephine glanced up at him, quickly searching his eyes for any hint he would give her con away. Finding none, she grinned bashfully, dumping the winnings in her satchel, still stuffed with the spoils of her previous job.

"It seems Buck is just a wonderful teacher." Josephine coyly glanced Buck's way. "Now, if you gentlemen excuse me, I do need to retire." The men stood as Josephine did the same. "Gentlemen." she nodded politely, her eyes scanning the bar for the one man she told herself she didn't want to see, but knew she had to. She spotted him at the bar, rather engrossed in a bottle of whiskey. She glanced over her shoulder, gave a little wave to Buck and J.D., who hadn't taken their eyes off of her throughout the entire game, and made her way to Ezra, putting a little twist in her hips, for Buck and J.D.'s benefit, as well as anyone else who might be watching. She was used to the way the two had acted tonight. She knew early on she was beautiful, and she learned how to turn it into her advantage. She spent years honing her trade, which depended just as much her looks as it did on her acting ability. And she did have to say, she was pretty damn good at it.

She slid into the space next to Ezra, making sure to brush up against his arm ever so slightly. "Whiskey, please." she called to the bartender, keeping her eyes forward as she felt Ezra's eyes on her.

"So, might I assume you have lightened the pockets of my friends?" he asked sarcastically as she quickly downed the shot.

"Beginners luck, I suppose." she said innocently, motioning for another drink.

"Of course." Ezra muttered, turning his attention to the more pressing item in front of him.

"So, they're your friends?" she asked, raising a perfectly sculpted eyebrow.

"Acquaintances, really."

"I see." she finished her drink, and turned her body toward Ezra, slowly running her fingers up his arm. "So, is Mutt alright?"

"I'm sure he's fine." Ezra turned his head towards her, catching her gaze. She looked up at him sweetly, her azure eyes wide and unassuming, a teasing smile on her pouty lips. She hadn't changed a bit since he saw her last, if anything, she had become much more beautiful. She was definitely a looker. And he fell in love with her the second he first saw her. She had said she loved him, too, but obviously she knew at the time he was just going to be another notch on her belt.

He wanted to tear his eyes away from hers, but he couldn't. If a man wasn't careful, he could drown in those doe eyes, and it took everything in him just to keep his head above water.

"So, what are you doing here, Josephine? Last I heard, you were in San Francisco." Ezra asked. She shrugged, bringing her hand up to pat the loose tendrils that tumbled to her shoulders, a nervous habit, he knew. She only did that if she was worried about something, and the look that briefly flashed in her eyes confirmed his suspicion.

"San Francisco got a tad bit old." she answered before leaning close, her face a mere few inches from Ezra's. "You checking up on me?" she asked slyly.

"I just heard a rumor you were there. No need to try to make anything of it." Josephine pulled back, annoyed.

"I see." she muttered.

"And if you think you are going to pull one of your little 'jobs' in this town, I suggest you begin thinking about moving on to the next unsuspecting burg." Ezra said coldly. Josephine stayed silent as she quickly turned on her heel and stormed out the crowded saloon, pausing only to flash quick, flirtatious smiles at the men who ran to introduce themselves. Ezra watched her as she left, turning back to his drink only after she slipped out the bat doors at the entrance of the saloon.

Josephine stomped back to her hotel, her face flushed with anger. How dare he talk to her like that. Like he was any better that she was. He was just mad she beat him to the punch five years ago. She had done the number one thing she knew she was never to do. She fell for a mark. And it broke her heart to leave him; she was so sure it was only a matter of time before he took off with her money, and she was sure not going to be the one left holding the bag. Her aunt had taught her better than that.

She breezed through the entrance of the hotel and made her way to her second floor room. She was so exhausted, and the thought of having to get up in a few hours to move on again didn't exactly appeal to her. Of course, having Wills and his two morons catching up with her didn't appeal to her either.

She paused outside her cousin's room briefly as she contemplated checking in on him. She decided against waking him; she was sure he was fine. Ezra wouldn't purposely hurt him too bad. She moved on to the room across the hall, her room, and jingled the key in the lock, surprised to find it already unlocked. She was certain she had locked it before she left. She shrugged off the nagging feeling something was wrong and pushed open the door. She stopped dead in her tracks when her eyes fell upon the body of her cousin, crumpled on the floor at the foot of her bed, a nasty looking wound slowly oozing blood from the upper right side of his chest.

Shaken, she slowly began to back out of the room, her eyes still focused on Mutt. She let out a surprised yelp when she felt someone grab her from behind.

"Hello, good-lookin'," the figure behind her whispered into her ear, disdain dripping from his voice. She felt her heart sink. "You're a hard one to keep up with, but glad we found you."

"Oh really." Josephine asked, trying to keep her voice as level as possible.

"Yep. And I think you know why we're here."